Two killed in boat capsize off Christmas Island

Two people have died and another two are critically injured after an asylum seeker vessel capsized off Christmas Island.

It is believed that the boat was carrying 95 people when it overturned 14 nautical miles north of Christmas Island at 1120 AEDT on Monday, an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) spokeswoman said.

Christmas Island administrator Jon Stanhope said most of the people on the capsized boat were rescued by the customs vessel Ocean Protector.

But his preliminary advice is that two asylum seekers drowned and he’s told ABC TV two others are in a critical condition.

The Ocean Protector returned to Christmas Island just before 2pm (AEDT).

Home Affairs Minister
Jason Clare
said 91 people recovered from the water were being transferred to Christmas Island where they would undergo initial health, security and identity checks and their reasons for travel would be established.

HMAS Maitland and search planes would stay in the area to continue the search, Mr Clare said.